Regional Award to AIR broadcast on dreams of rag-pickers and homeless children

Regional Award to AIR broadcast on dreams of rag-pickers and homeless childrenNEW DELHI, 18 September 2009 – A broadcast on the hopes and dreams of rag-pickers and homeless children by All India Radio (AIR) Lucknow has won the International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) Regional Award.

ICDB is a day set aside each year to celebrate children’s broadcasting and encourages young people to get involved in television and radio broadcasting. The 2009 ICDB theme, "Unite for Children: Tune in to Kids," asked children to explore what they care about and what are their values, fears and dreams.

"I am very happy. I am speechless," said Archana Prasad, the chief producer of the Lucknow program called "Kids Tune in to Us." Other broadcasts included programs on classical singing and "Our Planet Earth." The children have worked so hard."The winner of the 2009 ICDB Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony dinner at The Modern on 10 November 2009 in New York. The awards are given by UNICEF for outstanding commitment to the ICDB by television and radio broadcasters.

"We are thrilled with broadcasters' dedication to the ICDB and children's programming," says Stephen Cassidy, Chief of UNICEF's Internet, Broadcast and Image Section. "We are inspired by the diversity and creativity these broadcasters exhibit in celebrating UNICEF's mission to involve young people in the media-making process. Children around the world reap the benefits of their commitment."

The nominees each won a regional competition and now go on to compete for global honors. This year's nominees come from Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Germany, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, South Africa, Suriname, Togo and Ukraine and represent the best work produced in 2009.

Regional judging took place between June and August and entries were evaluated by teams of broadcasters, radio and television experts and communications specialists. The judges looked at content, execution and year-round youth participation.

The ICDB was launched in 1991 to encourage broadcasters worldwide to create awareness for children’s issues and takes place the first Sunday in March. On that day, youth write, report, produce and present programs that allow them to reach a wide audience with their thoughts on the issues that affect them.

The ICDB Regional Prizes for radio went to Rádio Justiça (Brazil, "Sintonize as Crianças na Rádio Justiça"), EUCHIRA (Germany, "Kids from Germany Meet Kids from the Balkans"), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (Ghana, "UNIIQ Curious Minds / Gems of our Time"), TRAXXfm, Radio Televisyen Malaysia ("Tune in to Kids") and Maputaland Community Radio Station (South Africa, "Zisize Children’s Radio Project").

The 2008 ICDB Award for Television went to China Central Television (CCTV) for their program "On the Road." The 2008 ICDB Award for Radio went to Ghana Broadcasting Corporation for their program "Curious Minds."

The next ICDB will take place on 7 March 2010 with the theme "All Children All Rights."

Photo Credits and captions:Photo 1: Tuhina the ten year old was among those who took over the Lucknow Radio Station on the International Children's Day of Broadcasting. (Photo credit: AIR, Lucknow)

Photo 2: Some of the ICDB participants with their mentor and guide Archana Prasad (6th from left) a senior programmer with AIR Lucknow. ( Photo credit: AIR, Lucknow)